"Hurricane Sandy is the monster storm threatening millions of people living on the eastern seaboard, already shutting down many cities and the federal government in Washington, D.C. The storm has closed schools, disrupted transportation and could rip apart the region’s power grid, cause major flooding, and destroy homes and buildings. Already hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated from low ground.

Sandy is also the ultimate “X” factor that could change the outcome of the election. In a close race, neither campaign knows what the storm means to their campaign. It’s a true “X” factor. Unknown.

It’s unknown how many voters will not be able to get to polls, early or otherwise. On Monday morning it’s unknown which states will be impacted the most.

“This is the biggest thing I’ve ever covered in my entire career, and it’s certainly going cover a lot of real estate before it’s done,” said Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel."

Get the Story:
Mark Trahant: Elections 2012: Hurricane Sandy is ‘X’ Factor Blowing Away Predictions (Indian Country Today 10/29)
Elections 2012: Climate Change Largely Missing From Election … Until Sandy? (Indian Country Today 10/29)

Related Stories:
Mark Trahant: Obama and Romney talk foreign policy in debate (10/23)
Mark Trahant: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney in sharp debate (10/17)
Mark Trahant: Barack Obama and Mitt Romney head to debate (10/16)
Mark Trahant: Senate and House do battle as candidates debate (10/11)
Mark Trahant: Nation remains divided as election approaches (10/10)
Mark Trahant: Recalling George W. Bush's 'sovereignty' moment (10/2)
Mark Trahant: Indian voters are invisible in election year polling (9/28)
Mark Trahant: Indian issues play big role in South Dakota race (9/27)
Mark Trahant: The myth that won't die -- Indians DO pay taxes (9/24)
Mark Trahant: Native students protest abortion posters at UNM (9/20)
Mark Trahant: Heidi Heitkamp is reaching out to Indian voters (9/19)
Mark Trahant: Mitt Romney blaming Americans for America (9/18)